In this deeply grounding episode, Jess is joined by international speaker, resilience coach, and author Laura Bratton. Laura began losing her vision as a teenager—and in the years since, she has cultivated a life rooted in courage, self-trust, and a deep commitment to living fully, even through change. Together, Jess and Laura explore how true resilience isn’t about pushing through or staying positive—it’s about being honest with our emotions, validating our grief, and choosing to move forward in small, brave steps. Whether you're navigating a season of uncertainty, rebuilding your sense of self, or learning to trust your inner voice again, this conversation will meet you with compassion, clarity, and strength.

In this episode, we talk about:

- What real resilience looks like (and what it’s not)

- How Laura navigated losing her vision in high school

- The power of daily support, community, and staying present

- Learning to trust yourself again, one moment at a time

- Gratitude as a healing practice (even on the hardest days)

- Why it's okay to hold grief and hope at the same time

- Advocating for your needs—without apology

Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & reflection

02:15 – Life changed in seconds

08:49 – Resisting the pressure to “be strong”

13:34 – Grieving what was lost

19:42 – What helped Laura stay

24:05 – When you feel invisible

29:18 – Rebuilding life on new terms

34:41 – Healing beyond resilience

38:20 – Final thoughts + closing invitation

Resources & Links:

✨ Learn more about Laura’s work or get her book Harnessing Courage: www.laurabratton.com

⚠️ Trigger Warning

This episode contains discussions of trauma, abuse, and other potentially sensitive topics that may be activating for some listeners. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. Your well-being is what matters most.

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Website: www.jessicavanrose.com

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